People who find themselves in need of an herbal diet supplement should probably cut their consumption of soft drinks, as these sugary beverages can potentially lead to weight gain. According to a recent study conducted by researchers at University of Adelaide in Australia, obesity may not be the only thing that soft drinks lead to.

The scientists discovered that the consumption of large amounts of soft drinks is associated with an increased chance of developing asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The researchers found a clear dose-response relationship, meaning that the more soda a person drinks the more likely they are to develop these diseases.

Researchers came to their conclusions by conducting a survey of more than 16,000 people. Another finding they came across during their study was that one in 10 adults in South Australia drink more than 17 ounces of soft drinks per day.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one-half of the U.S. population consumes sugary drinks on any given day. This study highlights a new potential danger associated with consuming too many of these beverages.